One of the steps was to move the ABS and the alternator to really open up room for the turbo.
The OEM setup the ABS unit is right next to the exhaust manifold, followed by the Alternator being that side also.
This can make things very tight when it comes to doing a turbo setup! Turbo’s are not small and trying to fit it into a space that doesn’t cause the brake fluid to over heat is not fun!
So ‘Mission Make Room’ happened!
Alternator
As the MX5 is a Duratec based engine, you will find it’s used in many cars. One in particular is the Mazda 3, to which runs the alternator on the other side.
I used a alternator from a 2006 Mazda 3 – part number: A3TJ1091 110A
I processed to remove the OEM alternator and the lower idler pulley under the power steering unit. (In some cases this will be a A/C compressor if your car had AC)
The replacement Mazda 3 alternator bolted up straight away! Yay!!!
I then proceeded to have lots of guesswork and managed to get spot on with the belt length. 6PK2050 is spot on and had the tensioner where it should be.
What was even better was the alternator plug was the same fitment of the MX5 plug, once fired up I will know if the pin-out is also correct. *Fingers crossed*
*Update – The car fired up and ran without any problems.
ABS Unit
The ABS unit was a little more involved, I knew where I wanted to put it, but it was the case of working out how to do all the brake lines!
I modified a OEM ABS mount to which worked out extremely well.
I’ll let the photos do the talking. 🙂
